The thought of switching practice management software can be daunting. However, many practices that switch to an IDEXX practice management solution report that the process was easier than they expected. 

Key takeaways

-       Practices that complete structured, role-based training before go-live often report feeling more confident when using their new system.

-       Many practices say that working with a dedicated implementation specialist helps support a smoother transition.

-       Ongoing training and support resources can help practices adapt to new software after go-live.

1. Team training

Veterinary teams are busy, so carving out time to learn a completely new system can feel like a burden. Practice leaders can address this by starting the training process several weeks before go-live, so there’s ample time to become familiar with the new system.

ezyVet practices can leverage ezyVet Academy, which offers self-paced, role-based modules that client service representatives, veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and managers can complete in their own time. Short, focused sessions are easy to fit into a regular workday and help keep everyone on the same page without having to adjust the schedule. Additionally, scheduled Q&A webinars with the ezyVet implementation team can also help to reinforce that learning.

Dr. George Johnstone, a veterinarian at Fur Life Vet Highton, part of Apiam Animal Health’s 70-clinic portfolio, described their team’s pre-launch training as a huge factor in their smooth transition. “None of our staff members had used ezyVet before,” he said. “We had quite a lot of training leading up to it, which was great because it meant that we had a bit of knowledge behind us when we hit the ground.”

2. Implementation

Even practice leaders who feel confident about the decision to switch may worry about the logistics of data migration, new software configuration, integration setup, and staff scheduling leading up to and after go-live.  

To ease this potential chaos, practices transitioning to ezyVet or Neo are paired with a dedicated implementation specialist who designs a plan based on existing workflows, goals, and current tools. Many IDEXX implementation specialists have veterinary experience, which helps them understand the daily pressures practices face.

 “When I told [the team] we were going to change [software], I heard a lot of groans and moans,” said Lori Anthony, practice manager at Family Pet Health Center in Mattawan, Michigan. “But I’ll tell you what: They absolutely loved Neo. We had a project manager in our corner who didn’t just help us move our data; they made sure anyone who had questions got very quick, responsive answers. We really appreciated how much handholding they did.”

3. Go-live

Staff may become anxious about using the new system with real patients and clients for the first time. But during go-live week, an implementation specialist may be available on-site, depending on the implementation plan, to help staff work through and adjust workflows.  

Danya Cumberland, practice manager at Griffin Exotics in Charlotte, North Carolina, said in-person support was a deciding factor for her practice. “The fact that somebody would come in and be there with us was definitely a selling point,” she said. “Our implementer prepared us pretty well to move forward.”

Frequently asked questions about switching practice management software

• How soon after go-live do most veterinary teams feel comfortable with a new practice management solution?

  Many veterinary teams report becoming more comfortable with a new system within the first several weeks after go-live. Pre-launch training, implementation support, and continued access to learning resources and support can help ease the transition.

• Do veterinary teams need experience with cloud software before switching to a cloud-based practice management system?

  Cloud-based systems such as ezyVet and Neo are designed with veterinary workflows in mind and include training resources to help teams learn the system. The implementation process includes extensive training for all team members, with opportunities for additional support.

• How does IDEXX support teams through a software switch?

  Veterinary practices switching to ezyVet or Neo are assigned a dedicated implementation specialist who makes a custom plan according to the team’s needs. Implementers are optionally available on-site during go-live week, and practices have access to ongoing support resources as part of their software subscription.

Making the switch to IDEXX Veterinary Software

Switching software takes preparation and effort, but many practices report that structured training and dedicated support helped make the transition more manageable than they initially expected.

Schedule a demo to learn more about switching to an IDEXX practice management solution.